Heroes of Today

Part 14~Never Underestimate the Power of Water

Stretching out her arms, Akiko sighed in content. The air was fresh and cold prickled against her skin, waking her up and removing any tiredness from her system.

She would be lying if she said she hadn’t enjoyed the last couple of days away from her friends but she would also be lying if she said she wasn’t worried.

Neither Naka nor Uzu weren’t particularly responsible people and putting them in the hands of unwarned heroes will be problematic at best. Oh well, nothing she can do now.

“Morning Kamui,” Akiko greeted as Kamui nodded. As per usual, Kamui was looking over the latest reports and crime rates to work out where best to patrol.

“Morning Akiko.” Early on in their time, they had learnt it best to call Akiko by her name since she found ‘nature’ strange and didn’t want Kamui to have to say the full name every day. “We will be patrolling in half an hour, get changed.”

Akiko chuckled a little. “I know, we literally haven’t done anything else.” The systematic running of the agency was a blessing for Akiko as it allowed her to plan her day accordingly. She wasted no time changing before she joined Kamui in the lobby getting ready to leave.

The patrol- like all the others- was uneventful. Nothing really happened, they just walked around, waiting for someone to attack.

Turning the plant duo started to walk down an alleyway where there had been a number of reports. At first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was just as vile and gruesome as all the other alleyways.

Drunk-to-coma-junkies lined the sides, garbage stacked up by the bins. “This is disgusting. Have they no pride in being a citizen of Japan!” Kamui moved the offending items that blocked the way with his Quirk as Akiko shook her head.

“Can you blame them? Ever since the raise of Quirks, alleyways like this have taken over the world. Those unlucky few who ended up with a villainous Quirk or no Quirk at all were outcasts. Without any social or academic life, they couldn’t get jobs. Society chips away at them until they end up like… well like this.” Akiko stopped giving a sympathetic look to one of the men who talked to a pizza box.

“It’s a shame what our world does to these people but, that’s not why we are here.” Kamui continued to trudge down the alleyway, doing his best to ignore the fifth surrounding him.

“You see any signs of our attacker?” Akiko tilted her head as she looked down yet another horrid alleyway.

"Over here." Kamui motioned for Akiko to come over as he dipped his fingers into a weird puddle and brought it closer. "Blood. It's pretty fresh. The attacker and victim should be close." Kamui pushed himself up, scanning the darkness. "You remember the drill?"

"Help the victim and do not engage in a fight." Akiko stepped behind Kamui who nodded. They walked forward, going deeper into the darkness.

Akiko didn't have time to react as a large object collided with her head. Her vision blurred and she wasn't able to stay standing. Her legs buckled below her, sending her to the ground.

"Akiko!"

~~~

I thought you said you had dealt with the witnesses!"

"Well, it's not my fault one witness doesn't have the courtesy of announcing they were on scene at the time. I'm not psychic, Ava! I can't find all the witnesses!"

"Then why the hell am I paying you to do the job you can't even do?!"

"You don't pay me."

"Get out."